It is time to widen the war
Who is Israel fighting against? Hizb'allah, correct? And, as the common wisdom goes, they are a rogue group that has taken control of southern Lebanon, parts of Beirut, areas of the Bekaa Valley; they operate without the consent of the Lebanese government.
Bullshit.
Israel is fighting against Lebanon. Hizb'allah is part of the government. For better of for worse, Lebanon has chosen to not risk a civil war in dealing with Hizb'allah, and has turned over control of their foreign policy to Hizb'allah. But to say that Lebanon isn't part of this war? Either Hizb'allah has invaded Lebanon, in which case the Lebanese need to declare war on Hizb'allah, or Hizb'allah is the paramilitary wing of the Lebanese Army. If Emile Lahoud can't control them, then he isn't usefully the head of state, and there has been a coup while no one was looking.
Israel is fighting against Syria. Syria is blatantly supplying Hizb'allah, with both Syrian and Iranian munitions. Syria is also giving Hizb'allah a flimsy excuse, by "ceding" the Sheba Farms to Lebanon, after Israel left Lebanon 6 years ago.
Israel is fighting against Iran. Iranian President Ahmadinejad today reiterated his call for the non-existence of Israel. Iran is providing both equipment, and technicians to operate them (sometimes) to Hizb'allah. Iran is seeking nuclear weapons; I have little doubt that Iran will use them offensively, either directly or through a proxy, against Israel.
Israel is fighting against public perception. The media likes dead bodies; the Lebanese are happy to show theirs off, while the Jews aren't. Because George Bush sides with Israel, everyone who hates him is either against Israel, or providing back-handed support (we support Israel, but think a cease-fire is the right thing given the humanitarian conditions).
What should Israel do? Declare war. Declare war on Lebanon, for using its paramilitary forces to deliberately target civilians. Force Lebanon to a treaty table. Declare war on Syria, for supplying munitions to Hizb'allah. Declare war on Iran, for calling for your destruction, and for providing Silkworms and Revolutionary Guards to Hizb'allah.
Is this a sane option? No. But there are no more sane choices. War with Iran and Syria is coming; better now than later.
